spiral

American  

[spahy-ruhl] / ˈspaɪ rəl /

noun

1. Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.

2. a helix.

3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.

4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.

5. Aeronautics. a maneuver in which an airplane descends in a helix of small pitch and large radius, with the angle of attack within that of the normal flight range.

6. Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.

7. Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.

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adjective

1. running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane.

   a spiral curve.

2. coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

3. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.

4. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound.

   a spiral notebook.

verb (used without object)

spiraled, spiraling, spiralled, spiralling

1. to take a spiral form or course.

2. to advance or increase steadily; rise.

   Costs have been spiraling all year.

3. Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.

verb (used with object)

spiraled, spiraling, spiralled, spiralling

1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral British  

/ ˈspaɪərəl /

noun

1. geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it. Polar equation of Archimedes spiral: r = a θ; of logarithmic spiral: log r = a θ; of hyperbolic spiral: r θ = a, (where a is a constant)

2. another name for helix

3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape

4. a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends describing a helix of comparatively large radius with the angle of attack within the normal flight range Compare spin

5. economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production

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adjective

1. having the shape of a spiral

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape

2. (intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration

   wages and prices continue to spiral

Other Word Forms

• multispiral adjective
• nonspiral adjective
• spirality noun
• spirally adverb
• subspiral adjective
• subspirally adverb
• unspiral adjective
• unspiraled adjective
• unspiralled adjective
• unspirally adverb

Etymology

Origin of spiral

1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) coil (< Greek speîra anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; see spire ²) + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A spiral is a coil or curl, like the shape of a piece of hair wound around your finger, a Slinky toy, or a corkscrew. A curve forming a series of circles that become gradually larger or smaller is one kind of spiral. You can also use the word as a verb when something moves in a spiral shape: "Then the wind died and I watched my kite spiral down to the ground." The origin of spiral is the Medieval Latin spiralis, which means "winding or coiling," from a Greek root: speira, "coil, twist, or wreath."

Example Sentences

In substances like quartz, atoms are arranged in a spiral pattern, similar to the threads of a screw.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

“I try not to think about it too much, because I feel like then you spiral down to that depressive ‘What are we going to do?’ kind of state,” explained Aragon of the restrictions.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

You won’t fall into a downward spiral of impulsive trading if you require yourself to pause and think before any gamble.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Before the Paris Games, Peaty shared his struggles with injury and his mental health, describing the period as a "self-destructive spiral".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“It means the spiral on the shell is made in perfect proportion. Don’t you ever see a living thing and wonder how it was made?”

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• circling
• coiled